Italian Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi has dismissed the possibility of the national team replacing Iran at the 2026 World Cup amid ongoing military tensions between the Middle Eastern nation and the United States.
Uncertainty surrounds the Asian nation’s participation in the upcoming tournament due to recent conflict with the American co-hosts.
A conditional two-week ceasefire is currently active, though diplomatic talks have yet to guarantee lasting peace.
If hostilities resume, their spot at the showpiece event in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be in severe doubt.
Infantino and Trump address concerns
Fifa president Gianni Infantino recently reiterated his desire to see the team compete, insisting there are no contingency plans in place.
“There is no plan B, C or D – there is only plan A,” the head of world football’s governing body stated.
He added that the squad represents their people, both domestically and abroad.
However, US President Donald Trump issued a contrasting warning regarding the safety of the visiting footballers.
While acknowledging they would be welcome, he questioned whether competing was appropriate given the current geopolitical climate.
Italy’s qualification failure
The four-time world champions missed out on qualification for a third consecutive tournament following a shock play-off defeat to Bosnia earlier this month.
That devastating result prompted head coach Gennaro Gattuso to resign from his post with immediate effect.
“With pain in my heart, having failed to achieve the target we set ourselves, I am bringing an end to my experience as national team boss,” the former midfielder announced.
Despite this failure, rumours surfaced that the Azzurri could be handed a lifeline as the highest-ranked nation to miss out on the tournament.
Asian replacements remain priority
Iraq assistant manager Rene Meulensteen fuelled speculation by suggesting Fifa could step in to hand the spot to the European heavyweights.
Meulensteen noted that while Iraq are the highest-ranked Asian team and next in line continentally, the governing body could bypass them for the global rankings leader.
Those continental hopes have now been firmly shut down by the Italian government.
Speaking to local media, Abodi labelled any European replacement scenario as highly unlikely unless an issue arose within Uefa itself.
“I don’t think so, and I wouldn’t even hope for it,” the minister concluded.
Any tournament vacancy is therefore expected to be filled by another Asian confederation team should a withdrawal occur.
Nike is set to replace Adidas as the official match ball supplier for the Champions League from 2027, ending a 26-year partnership with the German brand.
The American sportswear giant will also provide the official match balls for the Europa League and Conference League in a cycle running until 2031.
This agreement follows a highly competitive tender process launched earlier this year.
Reports suggest the incoming supplier offered around $45m (£36m) per year, effectively doubling the current fee to beat competition from rival manufacturers.
The end of an iconic era
Adidas has been synonymous with Europe’s elite club competition since introducing the famous starball design in 2001.
Because the incumbent supplier retains the intellectual property rights to the star pattern, the beloved visual identity of the tournament will fundamentally change.
The current ball will be used for the final time during next season’s showpiece match at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid.
Uefa recently acknowledged the legacy of the existing match ball during its 25th-anniversary celebrations.
“Since its debut, Adidas starball has transcended its role as a match ball to become a symbol of the Uefa Champions League’s spirit and identity.”
A return to European prominence
The new deal marks a significant return for the Oregon-based corporation, who previously supplied match balls for the tournament between 1997 and 2001.
A joint venture representing Uefa and European clubs confirmed they have entered an exclusive negotiation period to finalise the upcoming contract.
“This decision follows a highly competitive tender process launched in March 2026 by UC3 and its agency, Relevent Football Partners.”
Arsenal lead current tournament favourites
While the administrative landscape of the competition prepares for a major shift, the ongoing 2026 campaign is reaching a critical stage.
Quarter-final second legs are scheduled for next week, with several heavyweight clubs vying for a place in the last four.
Data specialists currently rate Arsenal as the statistical favourites with a 36% chance of lifting the trophy, following a 1-0 first-leg victory over Sporting CP.
Bayern Munich hold a narrow advantage over Real Madrid, while reigning champions Paris St-Germain are well positioned after defeating Liverpool 2-0 in France.
The Atlanta Hawks secured their spot in the NBA play-offs and claimed the Southeast Division title with a decisive 124-102 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
Needing just one win from their final two regular-season fixtures to guarantee a top-six finish in the Eastern Conference, the home side comfortably dismantled their already-qualified opponents.
A dominant third-quarter performance saw the divisional champions score 35 points, stretching a 61-48 half-time advantage into an insurmountable 96-65 lead.
Guard CJ McCollum paced the offense with a game-high 29 points, ensuring his team bypassed the play-in tournament for the first time in five seasons.
James enters exclusive assist club
Over in the Western Conference, veteran superstar LeBron James etched his name further into the history books during a 101-73 rout of the Phoenix Suns.
The iconic forward became only the fourth player in the history of the league to record 12,000 career assists.
His stellar individual output of 28 points, 12 assists and six rebounds helped the Los Angeles Lakers secure crucial home-court advantage for the upcoming post-season.
The dominant victory marked a 15th win in 19 outings for the California franchise, officially locking in a top-four finish in the standings.
Former Utah Jazz maestro John Stockton remains the undisputed all-time assist leader with 15,806, while Chris Paul and Jason Kidd are the only other individuals ahead of James.
Celtics tie three-point record
Elsewhere, the Boston Celtics cemented the second seed in the East by wrapping up the Atlantic Division with an emphatic 144-118 win against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The 18-time champions were devastating from beyond the arc, sinking a record-equalling 29 three-pointers as forward Sam Hauser contributed eight of his own.
That historic shooting display forced the New York Knicks to settle for the third seed, despite finishing their campaign with a 112-95 triumph over the Toronto Raptors.
Defeat for the Canadian outfit caused them to slip down into sixth place, leaving them tied with the Orlando Magic after the Florida franchise beat the Chicago Bulls 127-103 for a fifth consecutive win.
Wembanyama shines on return
Rising star Victor Wembanyama returned from a brief injury absence to guide the second-seeded San Antonio Spurs past the Dallas Mavericks with a 139-120 win.
The 22-year-old Most Valuable Player contender strengthened his credentials by amassing a staggering 40 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets kept their hopes of securing third place in the West alive by defeating reigning champions and top seeds Oklahoma City Thunder 127-107.
New Zealand’s Carlos Ulberg will face former champion Jiri Prochazka for the vacant light-heavyweight title at UFC 327 in Miami on Saturday.
The 35-year-old enters the Octagon at the Kaseya Centre riding a formidable nine-fight win streak.
This championship opportunity arises after Brazilian star Alex Pereira vacated the 205lb belt to move up to the heavyweight division.
While the bout represents the pinnacle of his sporting career, the surging contender credits a turbulent upbringing for his elite resilience.
Forged in foster care
Moving between dozens of different families from the ages of four to 13, the challenger experienced a remarkably challenging childhood.
He acknowledges that while some households provided stability, others left him facing daily physical abuse from fellow foster children.
That’s what has created me into this space that I am now and it’s a good thing. That’s what’s brought the best out of me.
I grew out of that kind of feel-sorry-for-yourself mentality and started to just push forward, and that’s what built a resilience in me.
An unconventional path to the top
The Auckland native has lived an exceptionally diverse life before focusing entirely on mixed martial arts.
Known for his explosive athleticism, the former reality television star previously played semi-professional rugby league and competed in professional boxing.
He believes experiencing such a wide spectrum of family dynamics during his youth ultimately fostered a crucial sense of empathy and open-mindedness.
I was really understanding at that age how different families would be, how loving some would be.
I guess it just made me understand people. It just made me open-minded.
The final hurdle in Miami
Standing between him and championship glory is the formidable Czech fighter Prochazka.
Ranked third in the division, the New Zealander has frequently visualised the moment the referee raises his hand in victory.
When I get that belt raised, it’s gonna feel amazing because time will flash at that moment.
When you’re visualising it you just know you’ll be thinking back to the times you had and the stresses – the physical stress, the emotional stress and everything that you’d gone through.
Arsenal can move 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League if they defeat Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Mikel Arteta has urged supporters to create a hostile atmosphere as the title race enters its defining stage.
The north London club host Andoni Iraola’s rested side knowing a vital home victory puts immense pressure on chasing Manchester City.
“The closer we get, the relevance and importance of the match increases, obviously, and tomorrow is a big day for us,” Arteta said.
Capitalising on the schedule
Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions face a difficult trip to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
Playing a day earlier provides the current table-toppers with a golden opportunity to dictate the weekend’s narrative.
Four points from their next two league fixtures would leave the title contenders on the verge of securing a monumental domestic crown.
However, an unexpected defeat to the Cherries could allow their main rivals to significantly close the gap with games in hand.
“It’s an early kick-off, so get up early, have an early breakfast, bring your lunch, bring your dinner, and let’s go all together for it,” the Spaniard added.
Fatigue factors and squad depth
The visitors arrive with a distinct physical advantage having not played a competitive fixture since late March.
In stark contrast, the hosts endured a taxing European tie in Portugal on Tuesday evening.
That grueling travel schedule has severely reduced preparation time for this demanding domestic encounter.
Consequently, the home dugout is expected to play a pivotal role in deciding the final outcome.
No squad in Europe’s top five divisions has recorded more goal involvements from substitutes this campaign.
Key attacking figures Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka continue to be assessed ahead of the vital clash.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli could be deployed in a specialised finishing role from the bench to exploit tiring legs late in the game.
Paul Pogba has made his first competitive appearance of 2026, returning from a calf injury as a second-half substitute during Monaco’s 4-1 defeat by Paris FC on Friday.
The 33-year-old midfielder entered the field with 21 minutes remaining at Stade Jean-Bouin and received a warm reception from both sets of supporters.
His introduction provided a rare positive note on a difficult evening for the visitors.
Goals from Ciro Immobile, Luka Koloesho and a Jonathan Ikone brace ultimately secured a resounding victory for the home side.
World Cup ambitions reignited
The French World Cup winner had previously managed just three appearances during his initial comeback in November before suffering a significant calf setback.
With the 2026 World Cup rapidly approaching, his return to fitness has immediately prompted discussions among supporters regarding a potential international recall.
During his 21-minute cameo, the former Juventus playmaker completed 21 of his 25 passes and successfully executed three long balls.
“It feels good to be back here at this stadium, honestly, it’s nice to see this again.”
Paul Pogba
“I just want to get back in shape and help my team as much as possible to achieve our goal, which is the Champions League.”
Champions League chase continues
Monaco currently sit fifth in the Ligue 1 table with five matches remaining in the 2025-26 season.
Manager Sébastien Pocognoli is hoping his returning star can provide the crucial creativity needed to secure European qualification.
“We’re seeing what’s happening in training, and against a deep-lying defense, I think Paul has the ability to bring that technical touch and a spark.”
Sébastien Pocognoli
However, the head coach acknowledged that conceding a fourth goal shortly after the substitution altered their tactical approach for the final stages.
Arsenal and Manchester City are bracing for a pivotal April in the Premier League title race, a month that historically favours the reigning champions over the current leaders.
The Gunners currently hold a nine-point advantage at the summit with seven games remaining, aiming for their first league crown since 2004.
However, Pep Guardiola’s side boast a vital game in hand and possess vast experience in navigating the relentless pressure of a season finale.
The two title contenders will collide in a monumental showdown at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, 19 April, in a fixture that could effectively decide the championship.
Contrasting April fortunes
Statistical analysis reveals a stark contrast in springtime form between the two managers, making this upcoming period uniquely treacherous for the North London outfit.
April stands as Manchester City’s most successful month under their Catalan manager in terms of win percentage, while simultaneously ranking as the worst month during Arteta’s tenure at the Emirates.
The Manchester club have secured an astonishing 30 victories from 38 April fixtures under their current boss, netting 102 goals at a devastating rate of 2.7 per game.
March traditionally favours the current league leaders, which perfectly contextualises how they recently extended their impressive advantage at the top of the table.
Managers demand perfection
Both bosses recognise the razor-thin margins for error as the campaign reaches its climax, with crucial fixtures scheduled for this weekend.
Arsenal have the opportunity to stretch their lead when they host Bournemouth in Saturday’s early kick-off, before the title holders travel to sixth-placed Chelsea on Sunday.
“We need to get a lot of points,” said Guardiola. “We have not been consistent enough in the season.”
The former Barcelona manager stressed that his squad cannot afford to drop any more points if they are to claw back the deficit.
“We have dropped points that we should have taken, which is why we are now in the position where we cannot do it differently. We have to win every single game.”
Meanwhile, the former City assistant manager is desperate to guide his current squad over the line after finishing as runners-up in recent seasons.
“The closer we get, the relevance and importance of the match increases,” admitted Arteta. “Tomorrow is a big day for us.”
The Spanish tactician issued a rallying cry to the club’s supporters ahead of their crucial weekend fixture.
“It is an early kick-off, so get up early, have an early breakfast, bring your lunch and let’s go altogether for it because it has to be a big day.”
Victor Wembanyama has secured his eligibility for NBA postseason awards by playing his 65th game of the season during a 139-120 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
The French centre delivered a dominant 40-point performance, adding 13 rebounds, five assists and two blocks to seal the win.
Despite returning from a bruised left rib, the 22-year-old showed no signs of slowing down during his 26 minutes on the court.
“I tried to protect the injured rib as much as possible while still being respectful of the game,”
the towering defender explained to reporters after the match.
“It didn’t bother me that much, just a few times where it was a specific moment or specific hit where it was painful.”
Matching a Spurs legend
The basketball prodigy’s latest display marks his fifth game this season with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds.
That achievement ties him with Hall of Famer David Robinson, who set the franchise record during the 1993-94 campaign.
San Antonio have been in formidable form recently, boasting an impressive 24-3 record since the mid-season All-Star break.
“I’m sure he’ll be sore tomorrow, but he made it out good,”
stated Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson, praising his star player’s resilience following the commanding victory.
Questioning the 65-game rule
Reaching the mandatory appearance threshold makes the French international the clear favourite for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
However, he expressed empathy for peers like Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards, who currently fall short of the required game count due to injuries.
Engaging with the media, the former top draft pick questioned whether total minutes played might offer a fairer metric than total games.
“Because a guy that plays 50 games, 35 minutes a game, that’s 50 times 35. That’s 1,750 minutes, right? And if a guy plays 75 games at 20 minutes, it’s 1,500 minutes.”
He then suggested that a threshold of 75% of the season, or approximately 62 games, might be a more logical benchmark for future campaigns.